Restaurant rescinds 'praying in public' discount

Mary's Gourmet Diner is no longer offering its "praying in public" discount due to a lawsuit threat. (Source: MGN Online)

(RNN) - A North Carolina diner that gained national attention for offering a discount to diners who prayed before their meal has now rescinded the offer.

Craig Marimpietri tweeted a photo from Mary’s Gourmet Diner in Winston-Salem, NC where a sign noted that “while you may exercise your right of religious freedom, by praying over your meal…we must protect your freedom from religion in a public place.” The restaurant is no longer issuing the discount because, "it is illegal and we are being threatened by lawsuit."

In an interview with Greensboro, NC’s News & Record newspaper, Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation said that the group didn't threaten a lawsuit against the diner, but pointed out that it is illegal to “charge an atheist more than a Christian."

“People who are atheists do not pray,” Gaylor said.

The restaurant made news recently when a receipt showing the 15 percent "praying in public" discount went viral on Facebook.